Crutch



S. JOSEPH CRUTCH June 8, 1948.

Filed June ll, 1946 JNVENToR. Je@ JJep/. Y 4

Patented June 8,1948

GFFICE Y CRUTCI-I Selig Joseph, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Erich H. Kirk, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application .lune 11, 1946, Serial No. 675,888

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in crutches, and it has among its salient objects to provide an improved crutch for veterans and others having use for crutches, wherein and whereby the crutch can be more perfectly adjusted to the person who is to use it, and wherein there is a exibility, or yieldableness, which makes the use thereof more comfortable and restful.

Some of these improved features may be brieiiy referred to 'as follows: The shoulder saddle is constructed with the rearward end thereof a little higher than the forward end, whereby to fit more comfortably' and naturally under the shoulder, under the arm. I have also provided a detachable soft rubber member to be iit over said saddle whereby to give a soft cushion support where 1t is most needed.

I have also provided a crutch structure in which spaced upper portions of the crutch have a telescoping connection with outer portions thereof, with spring means therein, whereby there is a yieldableness, which gives ease and comfort in use.

Other details of construction and arrangement will be referred to in the following detailed description, reference being had to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which one practical embodiment of my improved crutch is shown. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a crutch embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Figures 3, 4 and 5, are fragmentary cross sectional views taken, respectively, on the lines 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5, on Fig. 1.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, my improved crutch as here illustrated, includes a shoulder saddle B, of inverted U-shape in cross section, as seen in Fig. 2, with a rubber cushion member 'I tted thereover and detachable therefrom. The rearward end of said saddle structure, being the right side thereof as seen in Fig. 1, is shown to be a little higher and a little heavier than the front end thereof, whereby to more perfectly support and steady the user.

Pivotally connected at their upper ends to said saddle 6, are two spaced tubular members 8 and 9, each being provided in its upper end with an insert plug, as I0, and an outside anged sleeve, as II, with a through bolt, as I2, therethrough, as clearly illustrated in the sectional view in Fig. 2.

Said spaced tubular members 8 and 9, are telescopically operable in two spaced outer tubular -members I3 and i4, converging at their lowe ends, and secured to a common member I5, as at I6, said member I5 being provided with anonslip cap, as I l'.

The lower ends of the inner tubular members 8 and 9 are each closed, as with a disc or member i8, each having a coiled spring, as 20, thereunder, in said outer members I3 and I4, bearing at their upper ends against said members I8, and at their lower ends, said springs bear upon a similar disc or member 2l in each outer tubular member, as clearly shown. Under this disc or member 2|, in each tubular member, I3 and I4, is a short tubular member insert, as 22, resting upon an insert plug 23, having'a bore therethrough to receive a rod 24, with a nut 25 on its lower end, seated in a cavity in the lower end of said plug, as shown at 26, whereby said nut is held against turning but can move with said plug 23, and can also move in and out of the cavity. Said rods, at their upper ends, extend through insert plugs I0, in the members 8 and 9. It will be understood that each of said spaced members are the same. The saddle 6 has a top opening, as 6', through which said bolt or rod 24 can be inserted.

The outer tubular members I3 and I4, are provided on their outer opposite sides, with open slots, as 21, indicated in Fig. 2, and in the cross sectional views in Figs. 3 and 4.

Mounted on each of said outer spaced members I3 and I4, opposite the insert plugs 23, is a collar, as 28, each provided with an inset set screw, as 29, through the slot 2l and screwed into the inset plug 23, as will be clear from Figs. 2 and 3.

Mounted between said members I3 and I4, is a hand grip 30, also provided at its outer ends with a set screw as 3l, through the slot 2l, and screwed into an insert tubular piece 32, as seen in Figs. 2 and 4.

At the upper ends of said outer members I3 and I4, is a connecting brace 33, shown made in two parts, clamped together around said members I3 and I4, by means of screws 34, 34, and by reason of which said connecting brace 33 can be adjusted and then secured in place.

By reason of the pivotal connection of the spaced members 8 and 9 with the saddle 6, the rolling or rocking action under the arms is decreased and a more comfortable action is had.

It is also possible to provide coiled springs in the front or .forward tubular members I3 of more tension than the springs in the rearward tubular members I4, thus making it possible to get better results.

If it is desired to adjust the handle or hand from the saddle f.-6;--it is Ypossible-to.--have access",

to the bolt or rod 24, and by itshead turn said rod which wil-l operate to raise the insert block .Y

or plug 23, it being understood that the set screw 29 will first be loosened.

While I have shown and described one embodi.: ment of my invention1 I am awarethatjchangesr in details of construction and arrangement can be made therein without departing-.- from the .Y spirit of the invention, and I do not, there,fore,.4

limit the invention to these details exceptasI may be limited by the hereto appended claims.

I claim 1. In' a crutch:'thecombinationwitha saddle= to iitunderv theshouldern-of` -the user,-2\and='two-- spaced supporting members converging at theirlower ends `into acoinmon# lower-end member-,-

of means providingyieldableness- -in said Vspaced members Yand :consisting of telescopi-ng-portonsf-V for-,each supporting member, coiled-springs there in betweensaid-telescoping-portions, and means for regulating-thetension of saidsprings,--said telesoopingportionsbeing pivotally=V connectedwith said saddle,'-whereby-said saddlecan rockendwise as said telescoping portions moveup--andf-^ down together or` independentlyof eachA other, andi a -hand-f grip connecting -said supporting-- mem-bers; g

2. -Ina crutch; the-"combination-with a saddleto t under the shoulder of the user, and two spaced supporting members of tubular form converging toward their lower ends and connected with a common lower end member, with a hand grip connecting said spaced supporting members,

-of vmeans providing a springing movement of said saddle relative to said supporting members, said means consist-ing of twmpairs. oftlescoping members-forming --the uppers.; portions of said spaced supporting members,` two coiled springs interposed in said members to yieldingly resist the telescoping movements thereof, two of said telescoping portions being pivotally connected with saidsaddle, whereby to permit said saddle @to rock. endwisezwith the telescoping movements 'of said'telescoping portions, and means operable through said saddle-,and down through said telescoping members for changing the tension of said coiled springs independently of each other.

SELIG JOSEPH.

REERENGE'srCI'rED The following references'arev of recordiin the., 

